Food concept
Holistic eating, also known as integrative eating, is a form of nutrition through which benefit is sought through the comprehensive understanding of the person as a whole (body, mind and spirit). To nourish ourselves correctly and, therefore, to be healthier, we must not take into account certain variables in isolation (for example, weight or any specific pathology that we have), but everything must be understood together. The first step is to consume natural products, leaving out those processed in which the original composition of the food has been altered. Thanks to this we make sure to obtain all the nutritional properties and not take certain harmful compounds common in these products. In holistic nutrition, all types of food are allowed: meat, fish, dairy, vegetables, among others, so that a balanced consumption of all kinds of nutrients is achieved, complete, varied and without excesses. For example, it advocates fresh and seasonal foods, such as fruits and vegetables (if it’s possible should be used different colors of fruits and vegetables), nuts, cereals, seeds, herbs … In addition to vegetable and animal proteins, we cannot forget unsaturated fats, carbohydrates, fiber, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. We must not starve or measure quantities: each meal must be adapted to the body of the individual who consumes it and their needs. In addition, the simpler the preparations that we are going to eat, the better, for two reasons: raw foods tend to preserve their properties better and digestion is easier. The way of eating is the object of study in this type of nutrition. It is advisable to avoid cold drinks, as they can slow down digestion, and chew food well, also with the same objective. But, in addition to food, holistic nutrition also speaks of the lifestyle that is included in that ‘everything’ that is the person: factors such as social relationships or the practice of exercise are included in what favors an improvement of the individual. For example, holistic eating speaks of the importance of exercising to improve overall health (keeping our weight, strengthening muscles, keeping certain organs such as the heart young, being more agile …), but also, unavoidable if we want function well physically and mentally. Finally, we must remember to spend time outdoors,breathing the fresh air.
With the sun we absorb vitamin D, but certain diseases are also improved, especially respiratory diseases.We will be more active by moving more and we will improve our social relationships, as well as our state of mind and, as a consequence, our emotions, an essential part of this sense of the person as a whole.